Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeShared by DepthScout anglers. Exact spots stay private, always.
82-acre lake in Muskoka District Municipality, Ontario. The lake tops out around 35 ft. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
The outline encloses 82 acres, worked by 2.1 miles of shoreline, with a single island in the mix. A middling shoreline index (1.7) gives it some bays to work without being a maze. 53% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Figure 0.6 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.4 mi at the beam. Muskoka District Municipality claims this one. If the bite dies, Little Nelson Lake is 1 mi to the south.
In spring, pumpkinseed run shallow here, mostly 1 to 8 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 2 to 10 ft before dropping to 6 to 18 ft for winter. Spring pumpkinseed concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 3 ft. Fish it in the evening and early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Micro jig under a float, Tiny beetle-spin |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Micro tube, Sponge spider (fly) |
| Fall | 4 to 14 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 6 to 18 ft | dawn | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 34 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Ontario waters are set by the Ontario fishing regulations (FMZ summary) — and special regulations can apply to Nelson Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Nelson Lake is about 35 ft (11 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF.
Anglers target pumpkinseed on Nelson Lake.
Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for pumpkinseed in spring. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For pumpkinseed, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Nelson Lake is regulated by the Ontario fishing regulations (FMZ summary). Check the official Ontario regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Little Nelson Lake 1 mi · Upper Centre Nolan L. 1 mi · Finlayson Pond #420 1 mi · South Nelson Lake 2 mi · Marion Lake 2 mi · Greenish Lake 2 mi · North Dotty Lake 2 mi · Tasso Lake 3 mi · Dotty Lake 3 mi · Doughnut Lake 3 mi · Big Hoover Lake 3 mi · Brooks Lake 3 mi
See how Nelson Lake stacks up: best pumpkinseed lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Muskoka District Municipality fishing maps (276 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.